Public To Weigh In On TGH Future
Sonora, CA — There will be standing room only at the Bielensen Hearings regarding the fate of Tuolumne General Hospital.
After a lengthy discussion and public comment session Tuesday, the Board of Supervisors voted to approve several motions on the table.
The first was the scheduling of the Bielensen Hearings for April 25th, which provide the public the opportunity to speak about the hospital; the second motion outlined the services the county plans to offer, which are maintaining clinics, the in-patient psychiatric unit, the skilled nursing facility or long term care, and Adult Day Health Care.
The final motion pertained to a recommendation to County Administrator Brent Wallace to explore a contract with the Lewin Group to devise a healthcare plan.
Several department heads spoke at the meeting to alert the board of the repercussions of their future actions when it comes to general fund money. Both fire and law enforcement officials drove the point home, when they said that money going into the hospital will come out of their budgets, putting the public´s safety on the line.
Medical professionals expressed their concerns about the lack of healthcare for the uninsured if services are cut at TGH. The public will have another opportunity to address the board on Tuesday April 25th from 1:30pm-5:00pm and 7:00pm-9:00pm.
Hear the live broadcast of Tuolumne County Supervisors´ meetings beginning at 9:00am here presented by Blue Mountain Minerals.
Written by Sabrina Sabbagh
